R.E.M. - Old Man Kensey

[kirksbrega11]

Kensey is the black man in America shortly after and during the reconstruction.

[vpgnto]

who the fuck is kensey. to this day i had always mistaken it for kinsey

[YesusFist]

@vpgnto Kensey is the old man I guess :)

[vpgnto]

@YesusFist is he not? lol

[wha1ever]

@vpgnto Kensey was Reverend Howard Finster's helper/friend/associate. As you see in the lyrics, he was a bit mental, naive childlike. For those who don't know, Rev. Finster is part of the early years R.E.M. folclore/imaginarium. Radio Free Europe's video was recorded at his backyard, Reckoning cover was painted by him and so on...

[vpgnto]

@wha1ever very enlightening, man.

[JoshuaTaylor]

I've always thought this album was their best. Oddly detached and mildly psychedelic, it casts a spell like no other. I realize the band was going through a hard time during it's recording, But... out of those sessions came this wonderful music.

[Ausiegingerkid]

Purely sublime REM!!!!!!!!!!

Oh the listening hours driving through the autumn tree lined avenues in my old 1970 Volvo!!

[11dega11]

wow, listen to silverchairs suicidal dream after this. some similarity in the verse in my opinoin

[LantaGem]

@11dega11 Oh God, you're so right! Funny, I've always thought this song sounded more "goth" than "grunge".

Then again, *early* Silverchair was definitely somewhat influenced by Nirvana, and Kurt Cobain often claimed REM as an influence - so viewed in that light the similarity may not be all that odd.

[nicholsjoshua15]

It's psychedelic rock you know like Smashing Pumpkins "Gish" was.

[paloriggs]

i want to be a dog catcher. i'd catch puppies and give them a cuddle

[xxx40x]

@paloriggs Sounds like my dream job, too. ;)

[JesusMFingChrist]

'Drink up the lake'???? What the fu(k is he on about??????????? Brilliant

[JesusMFingChrist]

see how the pace subtley changes when the vocal and drums come in. excellent.

[theyself]

Absolutely love the bridge in this one.

[mrREDBIRDFAN]

Rolling Stone once wrote about REM that if any one ever figured out what they were saying they were going to be a great force in music.Always liked REM but have to consider myself one of those who didn,t always get the words.John,Bill and Ed stand on your head?

[bassmanjoe]

The more interesting side of REM, and i

love it. We need more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AFirmKickInThePants]

Most underrated REM album ever, funny because it's one of their best

[ElGeeAreSee]

@AFirmKickInThePants

I agree wholeheartedly. It's a gorgeous album. Maybe their best.

[BuddyKatt]

Warren Zevon in the rock and roll hall of fame.

[SalmaAndDeemaBff]

My names Kensey(:

im not an oldman =P

This is a Der-Der-Der song :D

[bbjjswj97]

ya me 2

[MusicJew158]

HOw come few critics consider this a five star album what the fuck?

[GlueyPorch]

Because music critics are stupid.

[txeire]

who gives a crap what they think? its like movies. how many oscar winning movies have u seen that u said.."wtf, this movie sucks!"

[LoveJoyHouse]

well said!

[txeire]

thanks sweet thing

[LoveJoyHouse]

ur well come

[Marcuskristicus]

Reminds me of a slowed-down 'Feeling Gravitys Pull'.

Stipey's vocals in particular have that similar unsettling two-note drone on the verses.

[jrmatticker]

"ransom greed", rather.

[jrmatticker]

I heard they included this guy from some Georgia town oddly enough named 'Old man Kensey' who would hold pets for ransom if they came on his yard, hence the "ransom read" and "wants to be a dog catcher". No clue if thats true, but doesnt sound to far fetched. One of my fav from R.E.M.

[mattkudzu]

The name of the town is Sumerville, Ga. I live there. Old Man Kensey was an aquaintance of the reverend howard finister, and I think the story about the dog-nappings were true.

[strawhattedman]

That is good knowledge man. Thanks.

[DouglasJBender]

One of my favorites from the "Fables of the Reconstruction" album. Deep and mysterious music, accompanied by hard-to-fathom lyrics, and harder to comprehend meaning. I have no idea what the song is about, but it's connected in my heart with some deep emotions, from long ago.

[saintsubversive]

Another classic made even better with lyrics.  thanks again!